Bennington Honored by Princeton Review and U.S. News
The Princeton Review and the U.S. News released their rankings for the top colleges in America, with Bennington featured on lists for Most Innovative Schools, Green Colleges, Great Professors, Great Classroom Experiences, and more.
This fall, Bennington welcomed the largest first-year class in its history. Noting Bennington’s outstanding programs and generous financial aid, the 2021 rankings provided by The Princeton Review and the U.S. News prominently featured Bennington in many of the most important categories.
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review lauded Bennington for the strong academic experience the College provides its students, highlighting it among “Great Classroom Experiences,” “Great Professors,” and “Students Study the Most.” Bennington, writes The Princeton Review, continues to excel as an institution that "maintains an academic philosophy that encourages a particularly high level of independence, creativity, and critical thinking among its student body."
In addition to notable academics, Bennington was also recognized for its robust campus and community life. Bennington's diverse and inclusive on-campus culture led to the College being noted as "LGBTQ-Friendly." Drama at Bennington, consistently recognized by Princeton for its outsized impact, was once again noted as "Great College Theater." Bennington's cozy, communal campus housing received attention for its "Great College Dorms." Highlighting the College's ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainability, Bennington was also featured on Princeton's "Green Colleges" list of environmentally sustainable schools.
The College was also highlighted as a "Best Value College," which draws from "institutional and student survey data, including academic rigor, affordability, and career outcomes for graduates.” This ranking affirms that Bennington is worth the investment, as the College offers an exceptional academic experience while also supporting students with a generous need-based and merit-based aid, which helps make Bennington affordable for students from a broad range of families.
The Princeton Review's rankings are based on a survey of 143,000 students at 386 top colleges, in which students are asked to assess their schools in a number of categories and report on their student experiences. Bennington has regularly found a top place in the Princeton Review rankings for its unique approach to teaching and learning and for the spaces in which its students live and work.
U.S. News
On the U.S. News' 2021 Best College Rankings, Bennington was highly ranked on several prominent lists.
Bennington was ranked #79 among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
The College's distinct student-directed pedagogy and faculty mentorship also earned the commendation of #44 Undergraduate Teaching, among National Liberal Arts Colleges and #11 Most Innovative Schools, among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
The latest edition of the U.S. News rankings assesses 1,452 US bachelor's degree-granting institutions on 17 measures of academic quality. Learn more about the U.S. News ranking methodology.